Kaymer shot a 4-under 66 and trails Jimmy Walker by just a stroke. Kaymer and Stenson both had to deal with those conditions and both still played well.
Advertisement
World number one Jason Day is three off the lead. Koepka had to pull out during the first round of the Bridgestone Invitational because of torn ligaments in his right ankle, and he probably wouldn’t be playing this week except that it’s the final major of the year.
“I had a couple of chances early which I didn’t convert and I was always trying to chase it from there”. Argentine Grillo also has a Canadian backstory after leading the 2015 RBC Canadian Open through one round despite having to talk his way into the country over a missing visa. “I just need to be a little bit more aggressive, a little bit more free flowing with my stroke”. “It played tough out there, with some rain and windy, happy to be 1-under”, Simpson said. “I know we do a lot of [captain’s] picks this year [four]. It’s because they’re good”.
Sanders, by the way, advanced to match play at Baltusrol and lost in the first round.
“And that’s when he said, ‘Hey, I’ve been on that side of things (lately), Masters in ’15, and Troon even more so two weeks ago”, Spieth said. That 65 was good enough to give him the clubhouse lead, which he held on to for the entirety of the round. Now he’s fifth at the PGA Championship. He played the front nine at one under, including recording just one bogey at No. 6, before firing on all cylinders on the back.
Defending champion Jason Day believes his lack of preparation for the US PGA Championship could prove a blessing in disguise after an encouraging opening 68. Minea Blomqvist shot a 62 in the third round of the 2004 Women’s British Open at Sunningdale, and Lorena Ochoa had a 62 in first round of the 2006 Kraft Nabisco. His ankle is taped and he is wearing a brace.
“I’m pleased with that start, ” said Stenson, who hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation.
“I haven’t won this tournament from this position before, so I’ll need a low one tomorrow”, McIlroy said. There’s also that Ryder Cup at the end of the year. A month later, he is down to No. 9 in the US standings. “It’s great playing good anywhere, especially bringing that momentum into a major”.
Harris English, Andy Sullivan and James Hahn were among those at 67. All three players grinded all day and all three players birdied their final hole. He putted in from off the green for birdie 3 on No. 7, then ended with two pars.
Walker, who has missed four cuts in his last eight events including the U.S. Open and British Open, found his form at the year’s last major.
Walker, who has five career wins on tour but none this year, is 48th in the current world rankings. He has a sense of urgency this week with double points at stake and a chance to become the year’s fourth first-time major victor. Walker, starting his round on the 10th hole, took advantage with four birdies over his first nine holes.
Mediocre were Jordan Spieth, who didn’t make a birdie until the 16th hole in scoring 70, and Phil Mickelson, who overcame a bad start to shoot 71. Of the first seven groups to play the 431-yard, par-4 hole, six golfers posted birdies.
Advertisement
What will Baltusrol serve up this week at the PGA Championship? “I just didn’t capitalise on the opportunities that I had out there but it’s not disappointing”, said the Australian. The U.S. Open was at Baltusrol again in 1993, and Lee Janzen tied the record at 272. Lefty won his PGA Championship at Baltusrol in 2005, and he was cheered on in the morning, without giving much in return. The 49-year-old Brown is the head pro at Tam O’Shanter Golf Club in Brookville. He was a runner-up at the PGA Professional Championship in June.
